Swarovski Annual Edition Crystal 2009 Gorillas, the second in the Endangered Wildlife Triolgy. These large sensitive social gorillas are fascinating creatures. Now replicated in Swarovski Black Diamond crystal, the Annual Edition 2009 Gorillas - mother and cub - shine in all their glory. Their eyes gleam in Jet crystal, while the hands and feet shine in unfaceted crystal. The Swarovski crystal gorilla mother and her baby represent gentle nurturing and caring whilst making quite an imposing statement. "The mountain gorilla is one of the most endangered large mammals of our planet. By improving the managing of water resources along the Nile in Uganda, around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Swarovski Water School aims to benefit the inhabitants and wildlife – including the endangered gorillas. Through the Living Nile Project, the Water School initiative will involve approximately 20 schools in several parishes in Uganda. Since 2008, the SCS has been joining the company's mission for sustainable water management through education. In 2009, the purchase of SCS Membership, Annual Editions and other related SCS products, will provide contributions to be made to Living Nile Project." A Swarovski "Thank You gift" for all SCS members who purchase each of the 3 Endangered Wildlife Trilogy Annual Editions will be shipped to those SCS members in 2010. The identity of the special gift will be announced when the 2010 AE is released! .

Swarovski 2009 Gorilla Membership
by Swarovski

Swarovski bio

Swarovski is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut lead crystal glass products produced by companies owned by Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, near Zürich, Switzerland.
The Swarovski Group also includes Tyrolit (makers of abrasive and cutting tools); Swareflex (reflective and luminous road markings); Signity (synthetic gemstones); and Swarovski Optik (optical instruments).
The company runs a crystal-themed indoor theme park, Swarovski Kristallwelten (Crystal Worlds) at its original Wattens site (near Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria).
Swarovski was also a sponsor for The Phantom of the Opera (2004 film), in which the "standing model" of the chandelier was composed of Swarovski crystals. A Swarovski shop window is also visible later in the film. However, the current swan logo, instead of the edelweiss flower which would have been the case in the era the film was set, appears.
Swarovski crystal was born when Bohemian-born Daniel Swarovski invented an automatic cutting machine in 1892. In 1895 the Swarovski company was founded when he established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens. Here he could take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes he had patented.
Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead to maximize refraction. The Swarovski Crystal range includes crystal sculptures and miniatures, jewelry and couture, home decor and chandeliers. They also sell beads and rhinestones, encouraging other manufacturers, artists and consumers to create their own designs.
In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, Swarovski coats some of its crystals with special metallic chemical coatings. Aurora Borealis, or "AB", is one of the most popular coatings, and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance. Other coatings include Crystal Transmission, Volcano, Aurum, and Dorado. Coatings may be applied to only part of an object; others are coated twice, and thus are designated AB 2X, Dorado 2X etc